Chapter 279
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 279
Chapter Title: Green Light
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While MBS was going back and forth between heaven and hell all day, there was one person who was blissfully unaware. The drama writer, Yoo Cheonga, was humming as she tapped away at her keyboard.
“Hehe.”
A smile never left her lips. Writer So Eunjin, who had stopped by the studio for a moment, saw writer Yoo Cheonga grinning from ear to ear and let out a chuckle.
“Having that much fun?”
“Oh, Writer So! When did you get here?”
“I did knock, you know.”
Writer Yoo Cheonga scratched her cheek. It felt like this had happened just the other day... Writer So Eunjin seemed to notice it too and offered some advice.
“It's good that you focus when you're working, but you should still look around once in a while. You never know what might happen.”
“Yes, ma'am!”
Writer Yoo Cheonga replied energetically.
“How's the writing going?”
“Yes. I heard from the PD around lunchtime. He asked if we could extend it. So I was redoing the synopsis.”
“That's good.”
When a show received a positive response from viewers, the broadcasting station would often want to extend its run.
*Of course, this time it's probably thanks to Seojun.*
Writer So Eunjin, smiling faintly, asked Writer Yoo Cheonga.
“How much are you planning to extend it?”
“There were some parts I had to cut when we changed it from a one-act play to a four-part series. I think it'll be a bit longer if I put those back in.”
“The station will love that.”
Unaware of the chaos currently engulfing that very station, Writer So Eunjin and Writer Yoo Cheonga smiled warmly. But Writer Yoo Cheonga's bright smile soon faded into a sullen expression.
“But I don't know how actor Lee Seojun will react. I hope he likes it...”
“So you're not going to write it?”
“No! I'm going to try writing it anyway. PD Gong said if it doesn't work out, we can just shoot it as a four-part series. I'm not sure if it's okay to test the waters like this, though.”
“Sounds like a good method to me. It's better to decide for sure now than to extend it after filming has already started. Besides, Seojun is ambitious about his projects. If the extended synopsis is better than the four-part version, he'll gladly agree to do it.”
“Really?”
Seeing Yoo Cheonga's eyes sparkle, Writer So Eunjin said with a smile.
“Why do you think Seojun uses the stage name Jin Natra? It means he wanted to do the children's plays *Spring* and *One Step* even while using a name like that. For projects he wants to do, like the play *Mirror*, he even creates them himself. It's rare to see an actor go to such lengths because they want to act.”
Writer So Eunjin recalled the actor who had given his all during *Naeuiwon* and *Mirror*.
“Seojun—no, actor Lee Seojun isn't just a good actor; he's a fearsome one with a great ambition for his projects. And an actor like that liked your script, so work hard.”
“Yes, ma'am!”
Filled with a mix of pressure and newfound confidence, Writer Yoo Cheonga tapped away at her keyboard. For some reason, the words seemed to flow effortlessly. Watching her, Writer So Eunjin smiled softly and left the studio.
Some time passed, and Writer Yoo Cheonga finally took her hands off the keyboard.
“Done!”
She immediately picked up her phone.
It was still 5:12 PM.
The read receipt, which until yesterday would have disappeared in less than ten seconds, remained for several minutes. Writer Yoo Cheonga tilted her head in confusion. Only after she stretched her stiff body and had a cup of coffee did a message from PD Gong Heechan arrive.
>Gong Heechan: Ah, Writer-nim.
>Gong Heechan: Sorry for the late reply.
>Gong Heechan: I'd appreciate it if you could send it to me first.
* * *
“My apologies.”
PD Gong Heechan, who had returned after sending a message to Writer Yoo Cheonga, sat down in his chair, visibly tense. The CP sitting next to PD Gong Heechan spoke with a serious expression.
“PD Park Gyumin has been removed from this project.”
“Is it because of us?”
This project was meant to be PD Park Gyumin's directorial debut. To have his debut canceled was a harsher punishment than expected, and An Daho furrowed his brow. He had wanted PD Park Gyumin to be disciplined, but within reason. An excessive punishment could have negative repercussions for Seojun.
*PD Park Gyumin might use the media.*
Seeing An Daho's grave expression, the CP quickly waved his hands.
“No! It was a disciplinary action that took other issues into account. We can't disclose the details, but... it's definitely not because of actor Lee Seojun. You have nothing to worry about. PD Park Gyumin won't be able to pull any stunts either.”
With the audio recording as definitive proof, there was nothing PD Park Gyumin could do. PD Gong Heechan nodded repeatedly, agreeing with the CP.
An Daho studied the expressions of the CP and PD Gong Heechan with a sharp gaze before nodding. It seemed to be an internal station matter, and they likely wouldn't say more even if he asked.
“I see. Understood.”
“We are truly sorry for this incident.”
“We're sorry!”
“This isn't something the CP or PD Gong should apologize for. You were both unaware of the situation.”
At An Daho's words, the CP and PD Gong Heechan breathed a sigh of relief.
“Then who will be directing the other four-part series? I heard it was a thriller...”
It wasn't that he was curious, but he thought Seojun would be. In response to An Daho's question, CP Kim Jinmyung answered with an awkward smile.
“I'll be directing it.”
He hadn't directed anything himself since becoming a CP, but given the circumstances, he had no choice. It would be too much for a debuting PD to manage what would surely be a chaotic set, and it was impossible for PD Gong Heechan, the owner of the project, as he had the tentatively titled 'Spring'.
“If CP Kim Jinmyung is directing, I'm sure it will be a great production.”
“Thank you.”
An Daho looked back and forth between the CP and PD Gong Heechan before speaking.
“It seems we were also too hasty in our decision to decline the role. After all, it hasn't even been a day since we decided to accept the drama offer, and then a PD from another project shows up at our company, asking to be swapped in. It was our first time experiencing something like this, so I believe we got a bit carried away.”
With every word from An Daho, the CP and PD Gong Heechan flinched. His voice was gentle and he was smiling, but they didn't know why their hearts were aching so much.
“……We're sorry.”
“Still, since you've confirmed that PD Gong Heechan will be in charge this time, we'll reconsider the drama appearance with the actor and let you know.”
The CP and PD Gong Heechan, who had been shrinking into the floor, looked up in surprise. Were they just imagining the glimmer of hope in his words?
“Then……!”
“Of course, nothing is confirmed.”
“Understood. Thank you!”
PD Gong Heechan beamed. The CP's lips twitched as he cheered internally. Just then, An Daho spoke with a smile on his face.
“By the way, what was that about a 24-episode series? Was that PD Park Gyumin's personal opinion, or…… was it MBS's?”
“……!”
*Is this what it feels like to go between heaven and hell?* The CP and PD Gong Heechan, who had something to hide, began to sweat profusely and shrink in their seats once more.
* * *
“So Writer Yoo Cheonga is rewriting it.”
“Right now?”
“Yeah. She said she's finished the synopsis. What should we do? Want me to have her send it over?”
Seojun, who had decided to sign the remaining photo cards tomorrow and was practicing his acting in the practice room, tilted his head at An Daho's words, who had just returned from meeting the CP and PD Gong Heechan.
“How much did she extend it?”
“Six episodes. She added two.”
“Hmm. At that length, it doesn't seem like the story would have changed drastically... Can I read it?”
“Of course.”
An Daho tapped on his phone and walked over to the printer inside the practice room. His phone buzzed, and after a few more taps, the printer started working.
“When do they need an answer by?”
“They asked for one within four days at the latest. The sooner the better. It seems MBS is busy with one thing or another.”
“I see.”
An Daho gathered the papers coming out of the printer and asked.
“Want to read the synopsis here before you go? Or read it at home?”
“I'm having dinner with the guys tonight. We made a bet last time.”
“A bet?”
“Yeah. The winner got to choose the menu, and I won. We're going for Korean food.”
Seojun said with a grin.
“So I'll read it here until they get here.”
“Alright. Call me if you need anything.”
“Okay.”
The printer stopped, and An Daho gathered the synopsis and handed it to Seojun. While Seojun sat down, his eyes sparkling as he began to read, An Daho left the practice room and headed to the Team 2 office.
Since lunchtime, when PD Park Gyumin had visited, the Team 2 office had been like a war room. They had mobilized all their connections to dig up information on him. An Daho smiled as he looked at the exhausted Team 2 staff.
“Everyone worked hard today.”
“Team Leader An, you're here? This feels even harder than after one of Seojun's projects is released.”
“Back then, we were in a position to receive offers, and it was almost always good news. This time, we were the ones asking the questions, and it wasn't for a pleasant reason.”
Everyone nodded at the staff member's words.
“Still, it's a relief that it ended well.”
“But a sudden PD change... I wonder what happened.”
An Daho's face hardened as he answered the staff's question.
“That's what we need to find out starting tomorrow. It's likely not something good, so we need to gather information before Seojun gets entangled in it. MBS said it's fine, but we can't just take their word for it and do nothing.”
“That's true.”
The staff, who knew all too well how things could materialize out of thin air in the entertainment industry, nodded with grim determination at An Daho's words.
“But for today, let's call it a day and go home.”
At An Daho's words, the Team 2 staff broke into wide smiles.
* * *
Two days later.
PD Park Gyumin was suspended, and the MBS drama department was treading on thin ice. It wasn't because of PD Park Gyumin, but because of the department head, who prowled the office like a lion stalking its prey.
“Did they call?”
“No. Not yet.”
The department head, having heard from the CP and PD Gong Heechan about their conversation at Cocoa Entertainment, was experiencing his own heaven and hell day by day. He hovered near PD Gong Heechan's desk instead of staying in his own office. The situation was stressing out the employees who had to be there, and some even started avoiding the office on purpose.
“Did they call?”
“……No, not yet……”
“Director. We'll let you know the moment we hear anything, so please wait in your office. If you keep asking every ten minutes, PD Gong can't get any work done.”
At the CP's words, the director nodded with a reluctant expression and turned to head back to his office. That is, if PD Gong Heechan's phone hadn't rung just then.
It was a ringtone he had grown familiar with after calling PD Gong Heechan's phone multiple times over the past two days just to make sure it wasn't broken. The director, who was about to return to his office, CP Kim Jinmyung, who was leading him away, and all the other employees in the office startled and stared at Gong Heechan.
PD Gong Heechan swallowed hard and looked at his phone screen. From the ecstatic look on his face, everyone knew.
It was Cocoa Entertainment!
The director gestured frantically. *Answer it, answer it now!*
PD Gong Heechan answered the call.
“Yes.”
“Yes, yes.”
Everyone held their breath as they watched PD Gong Heechan only give short replies. Choi Hyunwoo covered Kim Danbi's mouth just as she was about to say something.
*Good feeling or bad, keep your mouth shut.*
*Sorry.*
Kim Danbi nodded at the sight of Choi Hyunwoo's glaring eyes.
“Yes. Understood.”
As soon as the call ended, the director rushed over and asked.
“What did Cocoa Entertainment say?”
“……Actor Lee Seojun is taking the role. The six-episode version!”
At PD Gong Heechan's words, the MBS drama department erupted,
“Nobody touches this project. Don't even lay a finger on it!”
The director's roar silenced the drama department office, which had been about to burst into cheers. Choi Hyunwoo and Kim Danbi, who had stretched their arms out to yell "Hooray!" three times, awkwardly pulled them back in.
“Whether it's PPL or investments! Favors for acquaintances or trying to shoehorn someone in! If you meddle with this in any way, shape, or form, be prepared for your life at this company to become very difficult.”
The once-bitten director growled like a lion protecting its cub.
The people who had been scheming to get a foot in the door—perhaps not to the extent of changing the PD, but because it was a project by a debuting PD and writer—held their breath and nodded repeatedly.
“Gong Heechan.”
“Sir!”
In the tense atmosphere, PD Gong Heechan answered the director's call with the same sharp discipline he'd had when he first joined the company.
“Make it a good one.”
“……Yes, sir!”
After all the twists and turns, PD Gong Heechan, who could finally make his directorial debut, smiled brightly.
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